Is it really important to you to exchange holiday gifts with your friends?

I have two friends that I exchange holiday gifts with every year. Last year, I suggested to one that we not exchange gifts and she responded “I love receiving gifts from you” so we continued the practice.

This year, the three of us had an email conversation about it, and I said I’m ok either way, and I mistakenly thought that the conclusion was that we weren’t going to do it. Then we saw each other in person, and they explained to me that I was mistaken.
Our plan is that we’re going to exchange gifts.

I went home that night and sent a heartfelt email to the two of them, explaining that I don’t need anything, don’t want anything, am trying to get rid of stuff, am overwhelmed with stuff, am trying not to buy things, etc. I said please don’t get me anything. I said I don’t need clothes, don’t need shoes, don’t need jewelry, don’t need anything for the house. I said I can really understand why old people say “don’t buy me anything. I don’t need anything.” Not that I’m old but you get the drift. I told them in the email, “If you want to, buy something for my daughter.” I explained that I’m not opposed to buying them gifts but really don’t want to receive anything and won’t feel bad about it.

One responded “we’ll think of something to get you.”

Obviously they’re really into this whole thing.

I didn’t respond but was thinking “what the fuck.”

Is it really important to you to receive and give gifts at the holidays?